[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous Harper’s Weekly thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4255075/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Mower in Ohio – 1-2
Tattoo – 3
The Peace Blondins at Niagara – 3
Liberty and Union – 3
The New Call – 3
Just Where He is Wanted – 3-4
A Scene in Parliament – 4
THEIR Terms of Peace – 4
Photographs of the Virginia Campaign – 4
New Publications – 4
Rebel Poetry – 4
Domestic Intelligence – 4-5
Foreign News – 5
The Reason Why – 5
Gen. Sherman’s Advance – 6-9
Return of a Raiding Party – 9, 16
In the Trenches – 9, 12
A Bowl of Bread and Milk – 9-10
The Diamond Necklace – 10-11
The Prisoners of War – 11
Quite Alone, by George Augustus Sala, Ch. XXXVIII-XXXIX – 13-15
Humors of the Day – 15
Rebel Privateers – 17-18
The Late Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart – 17-18
Special Service – 18-19
To the Soldier – 19

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from Continued from August 4 (reply #34).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4255075/posts#34

Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee, an abridgement by Richard Harwell

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Johnny Green of the Orphan Brigade: The Journal of a Confederate Soldier, Edited by A.D. Kirwan

[Homer_J_Simpson]

With Lincoln in the White House: Letters, Memoranda, and Other Writings of John G. Nicolay, 1860-1865, edited by Michael Burlingame

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Mary Chesnut’s Civil War, edited by C. Vann Woodward

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Saturday, August 6, 1864 (Cabinet members and Pres. Lincoln discuss the Wade-Davis manifesto.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/11/diary-of-gideon-welles-saturday-august.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, August 6, 1864 (“Grant has not yet returned from Washington; no telegrams have been received from him since he left, so I presume the project of sending me to take command has fallen through.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/major-general-george-g-meade-to_20.html

Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett to Harriet Plummer Bartlett, August 6, 1864 (“Little better this morning; shall try to send this to-day. Write on one leaf, but send the whole sheet and an envelope.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/10/brigadier-general-william-f-bartlett-to_28.html

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Saturday, August 6, 1864 (“Just a week since I was taken; what a week of misery.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-brigadier-general-william-f.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, August 6, 1864 (“I took a limited ride along our flank defences, where I discovered a patriotic sentry, sitting with his back to where the enemy might be supposed to come, and reading a novel!”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_26.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Saturday, August 6, 1864 (“saw Grant at the Junction; looks like fighting ahead; is probably arranging the campaign in his car with others.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_19.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, August 6, 1864 (“This is general scrub-day for all the hospitals; the floors are scrubbed, clean sheets and pillow slips put on the cots, and clean underclothes are dealt out for the sick.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/it-is-warm-and-pleasant-again.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 6, 1864 (“we have been unfortunate in a naval engagement in the lower bay, at Mobile. We have lost Admiral Buchanan’s ram “Tennessee,” and several other steamers.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-august-6.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from August 4 (reply #33).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4255075/posts#33

Jean Edward Smith, Grant

[Homer_J_Simpson]

All for the Union: The Civil War Diary and Letters of Elisha Hunt Rhodes, edited by Robert Hunt Rhodes

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from July 31 (reply #13).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4255075/posts#13

James Lee McDonough, William Tecumseh Sherman: In the Service of My Country, A Life

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Sunday, August 7, 1864 (“Beautiful Sabbath morning, 11 A. M. I wonder if they are at church now at home.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-brigadier-general-william-f_2.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Sunday, August 7, 1864 (“It is rumored that General Sheridan is to command this army — good!”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_20.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, August 7, 1864 (“A train came in this evening from the front loaded with the wounded from the Seventeenth Army Corps.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_15.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 7, 1864 (“Honor to Lee!—the savior of his country! and the noble band of heroes whom he has led to victory—but first to God.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-august-7.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Monday, August 8, 1864 “General Grant has been to Frederick and placed Sheridan in command of the forces on the upper Potomac instead of Hunter, which is a good change”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/11/diary-of-gideon-welles-monday-august-8.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, August 8, 1864 (“Grant has not yet returned from Washington. It is reported he has gone to Harper’s Ferry to see for himself how matters stand.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/major-general-george-g-meade-to_32.html

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Monday, August 8, 1864 (“Never passed such a horrible night as last; awake all night, passing blood freely. The doctor couldn’t know anything about his business, and doesn’t care.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-brigadier-general-william-f_3.html

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, Monday, August 8, 1864 (“We are, for the present, part of a tolerably large army under Sheridan. This pleases General Crook and suits us all.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/11/colonel-rutherford-b-hayes-to-lucy-webb_70.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, August 8, 1864 (“As soldiers in the field the Germans are nearly useless; our experience is, they have no native courage to compare with Americans. Then they do not understand a word that is said to them — these new ones.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_52.html

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Fessenden Morse: August 8, 1864 (“It was a twenty-pounder with a disagreeable whiz and end-over-end motion and it went into a squad of three men, breaking the thigh of one of them.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/07/major-charles-fessenden-morse-august-8.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: August 8, 1864 (“Our artillery is any amount better than theirs, and it plays on them from morning until night.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/12/captain-charles-wright-wills-august-8.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Monday, August 8, 1864 (“haven’t done much but read Harper’s Weekly and visit; baggage came up this evening; warm and sultry; rumors of a move tonight”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_21.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: August 8, 1864 (“It was the first time I had worn my sash over my shoulder and of course I did not feel altogether insignificant.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/01/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_27.html

Diary of Sergeant David L. Day: August 8, 1864 (NED CARTER THE BLACKSMITH - Obituary)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/12/diary-of-sergeant-david-l-day-august-8.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Monday, August 8, 1864 (“This morning I was put in as head nurse of ward D, hospital number 4. My duty is to direct the nurses in dealing out medicine and attending to the needs of the sick.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_60.html

Lydia Slocum to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, August 8, 1864 (“these few lines from the trembling hand of the aged grandma of our beloved General James B. McPherson, who fell in battle.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/06/lydia-slocum-to-lieutenant-general.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 8, 1864 (“In the assault on the fortifications near Petersburg last week, it is said Hancock’s (enemy’s) corps lost half its men.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-august-8.html

Dr. Spencer G. Welch to Cordelia Strother Welch, August 8, 1864 (“I hope we will not be sent to the Valley again, for I detest those tedious marches. However, I am willing to do anything to whip out the Yankees.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/06/dr-spencer-g-welch-to-cordelia-strother_62.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, August 9, 1864 (“I have been engaged for two days giving my testimony before the court of inquiry that is investigating the Petersburg disaster.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/major-general-george-g-meade-to_21.html

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Tuesday, August 9, 1864 (“Another sleepless, painful night to-night. If I die here, I hope my friends (written 10th) will sift the matter and learn the truth.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-brigadier-general-william-f_4.html

Colonel Charles Russell Lowell to Josephine Shaw Lowell, August 9, 1864 (“Everything is chaos here, but under Sheridan is rapidly assuming shape. It was a lucky inspiration of Grant’s or Lincoln’s to make a Middle Military Division and put him in command of it”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/colonel-charles-russell-lowell-to_9.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, August 9, 1864 (“The only man who, at the first shock, ran towards the scene of terror was Lieutenant-General Grant, which shows his kind of character very well.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_28.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Tuesday, August 9, 1864 (“good news from Sherman and the Gulf Department to-night; rumors of a move this evening.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_22.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, August 9, 1864 (“A train loaded with wounded came in last night from Marietta, Georgia, and they were sent out to the field hospital east of town.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_86.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 9, 1864 (“The President has directed the late Gen. (now Lieut.-Col.) Pemberton to organize a mortar and cavalry force to dislodge the enemy from Deep Bottom, on this side of the river”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-august-9.html

Horace Greeley to Abraham Lincoln, August 9, 1864 (“Now if the Rebellion can be crushed before November, it will do to go on; if not, we are rushing on certain ruin.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/05/horace-greeley-to-abraham-lincoln.html

What Is Said Of The Peace Negotiations (Mount Vernon, Ohio “Republican”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/05/what-is-said-of-peace-negotiations.html

The N. Y. World on the Peace Plotters.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-n-y-world-on-peace-plotters.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of a Confederate Soldier: John S. Jackman of the Orphan Brigade, Edited, with an introduction, by William C. Davis

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to Lydia Slocum, August 10, 1864 (“I am glad to know that the relatives of the lamented Major-General McPherson are aware of the more than friendship existing between him and myself

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/06/lieutenant-general-ulysses-s-grant-to_21.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, August 10, 1864 (Gen. Meade is still pissed that Gen. Grant gave command of the new Middle Division to Sheridan instead of to himself.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/major-general-george-g-meade-to_22.html

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Wednesday, August 10, 1864 (“If I could only live to get in our lines or to Baltimore, I would die contented. Mother would be there.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-brigadier-general-william-f_11.html

Colonel Theodore S. Bowers to Brigadier-General John Rawlins, August 10, 1864 (“Grant now runs the whole machine independently of the Washington directory. I am glad to say he is fully himself”- i.e., sober-HJS)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/06/colonel-theodore-s-bowers-to-brigadier_52.html

Lieutenant I. Pinckney Thomas to Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett, August 10, 1864 (Gen. Bartlett’s friends in the north will see about getting him exchanged or paroled.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/lieutenant-i-pinckney-thomas-to.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: August 10, 1864 (“It is entitled to be inscribed with the following battles: Vicksburg, Black River, Jackson, Miss., Mission Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/12/captain-charles-wright-wills-august-10.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Wednesday, August 10, 1864 (“and camped about three miles from Berryville at Clifton; very warm; many fell out from sunstroke and heat; rained this evening; no signs of the enemy.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_56.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, August 10, 1864 (“The sick in my ward are all getting along well, with the exception of two men who are suffering severely with inflammatory rheumatism. “)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_3.html

Charles Eliot Norton to James Russell Lowell, August 10, 1864 (“Mr. Lincoln is obliged to carry on this war as a civil as well as a military leader, and civil considerations may often compel him to act in a manner which would be very unwise were he guided by purely military conditions.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/charles-eliot-norton-to-james-russell.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 10, 1864 (“Forts Gaines and Powell are lost—the latter blown up. Gen. Maury telegraphs for infantry, has some 4000 men for the defense of Mobile, etc.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-august-10.html

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: August 10, 1863 (“The Northern and Southern soldier then united in burying him, who was brother in arms of the one, and the mother’s son of the other!”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/10/diary-of-judith-brockenbrough-mcguire_3.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from July 15 (reply #43)

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4249886/posts#43

Nathan Bedford Forrest: A Biography, by Jack Hurst

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Edwin M. Stanton to Governor Samuel Cony, August 11, 1864 (“What you ask is not a ‘favor’ within the power of this Department to bestow.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/02/edwin-m-stanton-to-governor-samuel-cony.html

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Thursday, August 11, 1864 (“Doctor not come to-day, little loss. I am little more comfortable, less discharges; very, very weak. If I go now I must go on stretchers. “)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-brigadier-general-william-f_16.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, August 11, 1864 (“Sheridan has been appointed to command all the upper Potomac forces, which is saying that he is to command all the troops to drive Early out of the Shenandoah Valley“)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_29.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: August 11, 1864 (“We have lost 35 men since Colonel Wright left us. There has been a tall artillery fight this p. m. right here, but as usual no one hurt.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/12/captain-charles-wright-wills-august-11.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Thursday, August 11, 1864 (“We are camped on the same ground the rebs were on last night; should judge we were making for Manassas Gap by the course we are taking”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_24.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, August 11, 1864 (“A train loaded with sick and wounded came in this afternoon from the front. Some of our convalescents had to give up their cots to the sick”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_4.html

Clement C. Clay Jr. to Judah P. Benjamin, August 11, 1864 (A Confederate Peace Commissioner reports on the mission to Canada and Niagara Falls.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/05/saint-catherines-canada-west-august-11.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 11, 1864 (“it is anticipated that henceforth the scene of operations is to be transferred from Richmond to Washington”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/05/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-august-11.html

Major-General Dabney H. Maury to James A. Seddon, August 11, 1864 (“All particulars of Fort Gaines’ surrender known are commanding officer communicated with enemy and made terms without authority”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/05/major-general-dabney-h-maury-to-james.html

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: August 11, 1864 (“Sheridan’s and Early’s troops are fighting in the Valley. We suffered a disaster near Martinsburg, and our troops fell back to Strasburg”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-judith-brockenbrough-mcguire_19.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to Congressman Elihu B. Washburne, August 12, 1864 (“I have no doubt but the enemy are exceedingly anxious to hold out until after the Presidential election. They have many hopes from its effects.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/06/lieutenant-general-ulysses-s-grant-to.html

Major General William T. Sherman to Schuyler Colfax, August 12, 1864 (“They will vote, — it may not be in the coming election, — but you may rest assured the day will come when the soldiers will vote, and the only doubt is if they will permit the stay-at-homes to vote at all.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/08/major-general-william-t-sherman-to_27.html

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Friday, August 12, 1864 (“My tongue is fearfully coated, brown. Dr. Hunter just glanced at it and says, ‘Oh, yes, your tongue looks better’. I said I did not agree with him.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-brigadier-general-william-f_17.html

Colonel Charles Russell Lowell to Josephine Shaw Lowell, August 12, 1864 (“Yesterday their line was on Cedar Creek, a strong position, very difficult to flank”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/colonel-charles-russell-lowell-to_10.html

Colonel Theodore S. Bowers to Brigadier-General John Rawlins, August 12, 1864 (“If the movement succeeds it will give us Richmond. The prospects are fair. Indeed my expectations are up to the highest pitch.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/06/colonel-theodore-s-bowers-to-brigadier_68.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, August 12, 1864 (Col. Henry G. Thomas had an adventure after taking a wrong turn at Petersburg.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_30.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Friday, August 12, 1864 (Lt. Abbott and some fellow officers get a good meal in Newtown at the expense of some recently fled Confederate officers.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_25.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: August 12, 1864 (“Warm. Warm. Warm. If I only had some shade to lay in, and a glass of lemonade.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_53.html

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: August 12, 1864 (“At noon, stopped near Cedar Creek for rations and a rest. Soon we began to advance in line, to the left of the pike, coming up against the rebel skirmish line. “)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/04/diary-of-corporal-charles-h-lynch.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Friday, August 12, 1864 (Corp. Downing learns his company lost 4 men in the battles before Atlanta on July 21-22.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_5.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 12, 1864 (“Detachments of troops are daily passing through the city, northward. All is quiet below on the James River. Grant’s campaign against Richmond is confessedly a failure.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/05/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-august-12.html

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: August 12, 1864 (“The signal failure of Grant’s mine to blow up our army, and its recoil upon his own devoted troops, amply repay us for our failure in Hardy. “)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/03/diary-of-judith-brockenbrough-mcguire.html